Prop-type supporting device



March 15, 1960 E. BELLMANN PROP-TYPE SUPPORTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9, 1954 WIS www MV March 15, 1960 E. BELLMANN 2,928,643

PROP-TYPE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wa MM "Q www United States This invention relates to prop-type supporting devices, and more particularly to shoring supports as used in mine service. f y

This application is a continuation in part of my copending patent application Ser. No. 401,941, led'Jan. 4, 1954 for Prop-type Supporting Devices.

Prop-type supporting devices comprise a pair of relatively movable columns which must be firmly held in position when the device is supporting a load; these columns must be adapted to be readily telescoped axially outwardly when the supporting device is being installed, and adapted to be readily telescoped axially inwardly when the supporting device is being removed from any particular point where it had been-in service.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a prop-type supporting device requiring a minimum of effort and a minimum of time for the installation and removal thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a proptype supporting device having means n the nature of a friction brake to preclude relative movement of the two relatively movable columns thereof and having antifriction means for facilitating operation of the means in the nature of a friction brake.

Another object of the invention is to provide a proptype supporting device having means in the nature of a friction brake to preclude relative movement of the two constituent relatively movable columns= thereof,"fand having automatic means for'tghtening the brake mechanism upon movement of the columns to the load-bearing position thereof, and further having manually operable means adapted to effect virtually instant collapse of the brake action of said means in the nature of a frictionE brake. t

With these and other objects n view the invention comprises the novel combination and arrangement of parts, and manners of effecting the same, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that the inventionis not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described-but vthat many variations and modifications thereofare possible, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of th advantages thereof. In the'drawings: Pig. 1 is generally an axial section of a supporting device embodying the invention, some of the parts thereof, however, being shown in front elevation rather than in section; t

Figs. la and lb are details of the structure of Fig. l; Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, arel cross-sections through the lower portion of the device shown in Fig. l and indicate three possible modifications or variations of the basic geometry of the device;

Fig. 5 illustrates in the same wayv as Fig. l another supporting device embodying the` invention; fil Fig. 5a is a cross-section along Va-Va of Fig. 5;v l

Fig. 5b shows the lower portion of the structure of Fig. 5, some of the parts of the'structure having been removed therefrom;

Fig. 6 illustrates in the same way another supportingfdevice embodying the invention;

Fig. 6a is a cross-section along Vla-Vla of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6b shows the lower portion of the structure of Fig. 6, someof the parts of the structure having been removed therefrom; and

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a constituent element the structure of Figs. 6 and 6a.

Referring now to Fig. l, reference numerals 1 and 2 indicate a pair of coaxially arranged substantially hollow supporting columns. -The upper columnl 2 is inserted into the lower column 1 and slidably arranged therein in -a direction longitudinally of both columns 1 and 2. The lower end of column 2 is closed by a piston structure 4S to enable column 2 to be moved within column 1 under the action of fluid under pressure introduced into column 1. A cup-gasket or sleeve 9 is attached to piston structure 45 to preclude uid under pressure from escaping from the space in front of piston structure 45 to the back thereof. Column 1 is provided with an orifice 10 for the admission of a iiuid under pressure. Either a liquid under pressure orV a gas under pressure may be used to operate the device. In other words, the device may be operated hydraulically, if desired, or pneumatically, if the latter mode of operation appears to be more appropriate or desirable under the circumstances. The inner surface of column 2 supports radially outer wedge members 7 which may be considered a multiple wedge member. The radially inner wedge member or ram 6 is arranged within, and coaxially with respect'tocolumn'z. A plurality of friction-reducing rollers '5 fare arranged between the surfaces of parts 6 and 7. Wedge member 6 has a projection 46 surrounded by a helical spring 16 which rests against piston structure 45 and biases member 6 in upward direction. Column 2 is provided with lateral slots 3 which permit column 2 to expand radially outwardly when acted upon by outer wedge member 7 whenVV spread apart by inner wedge member 6. If engagement of members 6, 7 and columns 2, 1 is effected under su'cient pressure, further relative movement of columns 1 and 2 in a direction longitudinally thereof is precluded. Thus members 6, 7 and the parts associated with them may be caused to operate as an eifective friction brake for holding column 2. in any desired position against the action of considerable external forces. lAbutment rod "4 is arranged coaxially with respect to columns 1 and 2 and consists of two parts of which the lower part is integrated with member 6 into one structural unit. The upper part of abutment rod 4 is slidably arranged within the top 49 of column 2. A wedge 14 is arranged between the Vjuxtaposed spaced ends of abutment rod 4. Wedge 14 is normally in place and then forms a rigid interconnection or coupling between the lower portion and the upper portion of rod' or rod member 4. When wedge 14 -Yis being removed from the structure, e.g. by means ofV a hammer actingupon it in the direction of the arrow P,

column 2 is allowed to slide down under the action of l gravity into column 41. The upper portion of abutment rod 4 supports a cap 17 adapted to receive ,the top end 49 of column 2. Prior to installation of the supporting device there is a predetermined clearance Xbetween the top end 49 of column 2 and thel inner surface of cap 17.

In all elevational figures of the drawings only-two of the slots 3 have been shown (Figs. 1, 5 and v6). VThis has been done for the sake of clarity. The number of slots 3 is actually larger, as clearly shown in Figs'.2`,1i3`, 4, 5a and 6a. Fig. la shows the lower portion of column 23.-. and 4; yif vdesired columns ofY square ,The wedge member 7 may` `sired .number of segments. `Figs. Y2 and?, lshow/Wedge members 7 Aof which .eaclris subdividedinto two Ts egments, whereas .the wedge member 7 vdividedrinto four segments;V t rx best shown in.Figs. 2:4, .themadiallyfinnerpwedge Almemberis preferably-square incrosssection. .Accord- :ingto Fgs. 2 andl3,r rollers 5 are arranged on'on'efpair lLinauerticaLsection,.upon removal .of parts` 4, and l6 1b shows the lower portion of column-Znnfront eleva-- tion and the slots 3`situated on the .front of1column 2.

Referring now V more'` particularly, :to` Figsr la andellg,

. column 2 isp. shownas being" rclosedat `the Jbottom thereof Aby a lplate45',ithus adapting column 2to :function Aas a piston. I.Cup-gasket ,79 is attached, toplate 45 Numeral 72 has been applied to indicate `the portionsor segments of `column: i.formed between slots -3 .Parts. .7 may be attached in any desired wayto'column portions 72 desired, eachmaygbe provided with a smallvp-braoketl- 71 supporting o ne.of.parts7. `l3rackets71 areulpt SSSlntial .since parts 7 may-bescrewed directly against column portions ,72. 11;18 l. 'y 11.-. a To operate the supporting device shown in- Fig 1;V the twocolumns 1, 2 are heldin vertical position` whilefiuid .under pressure is `being admitted toorce ac ting. upon Apiston structure 45 and raising column 2. This Acauses the `upper surface/of cap 17 to engagetheeeiling or equivalent structure to be supported; by-.the s upportir1g .device. Continued action of iuidr pressurenuPQnpiston ,structure 45r causesg upward movemenoor". column 2 :and .,cornpressionof helical spring 16.. l Continlld.-,l'aisillg-,Qf

fcolumn `2 after;V engagementoi aceilinggstructure by cap A1.7 k causes relative movement of: partsl 7. and ,6 Landre-V ',duetion of clearance X. Thus theradially` innell member action of the force of `reaction to thef or ce acting upon piston. 4structure 45.

ASaid force of reaction is b eing transmittedto member 6 through VYthe upper and the lower portion of4 abutmentrod. (i and through wedge 1 4. -The :forcetransmitted` to member 6 through rod 4 is-equal, but opposite, ,to `theY force which ,the fluid in front of Y vpiston structure .45` exerts upon saidjpiston. structure. `The transverse clamping; pressurebetweenpthe radially 'outer clamping member 7, the outer Ysurfacepfcolumn "land the inner surfaceofcolumnl increases as the driving .force uponV piston structure y4 5 v increases and` as the clerance -X between parts 17 and-49 decreases. i When =suicient ,to rpreclude relative movement 1Voi:`colurnns ..1

and=2 against the action of the weightresting uponjthe top vand ofthe supporting device when clearapGeiXris about to become"zero. `In this instanceI continued ,in

crease` of theuid pressure acting .upon piston structure .I45.will.increase the force tending to ram-.part .6 into part -7 and .to increase the frictionalengagement between the `lower slotted end of column 2 and the inner surface of columnl." f .,w y.I t will be apparent from the foregoingthat `a joint iluid motor is being .provided inthe structureshowmiu Fig. 1 for raising column 2 and foroperating the .brake mechanism precludng relative movementgof columns. 1

and@ in.a direction longitudinallythereof. i .The cross=section of columns lxandl-,may either...be oval, as shownrin` Fig.Y 2, or circular, as showninLFigs or rectangular cross-section may beadopted. be subdivided into any :d e-

of Fig. 4V is sub- 4v ,9.f, opposite surfacesof wedge member .6, whereasiu .the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 rollers 5 are arranged on two pairs of opposite surfaces of wedge member 6. l

Figs. 2-4 clearly show the longitudinal slots 3 provided inthe portion of column 2 situated on the same level as wedge members 6 and 7 to.. increase the ilexibility, or radial expandability,` of the portion of column 2 which is situated atthis level.

The embodiments: of -the invention shown `in Figs. 5, 51116. and-,6a comprise a lowsrwfer column 1 and an upper inner column 2. Column 1 is provided with an orifice 1 0-for admissiongofjgauid under pressure to act upon piston structure 45 closing the lower end of the column 2. The 'tubular member vor rod member 4 is coaxially arranged within column 2 and supports means on the lower end thereof described below more in detail.

Referringnowmore specically to Figs.` 5 and 5a, a .Cylindrical brake bgdy'' is. Supported bymd member 4 within, and in coaxial relation with respect to, radially inner-column 2.1 Thisv cylindrical body 6' `has-.a systexn p of ylongitudinal or vertical grooves 10 on theY periphery thereof defining-passagesprogressivelyincreasing in d epth from thetop end-to `thetbottom end o f bodyl.v Brake body 6" cooperates with a system-of radially outer wedge elements 8 of whicheach is inserted irito one of grooyes 10.l The constituent fparts oi wedge "elements-.Share arranged. equidistantlyalons the peripheryf Cylindrical grooved body/6. l Each of theseelements h as `awvyvedgeshaped portiomprosressively.. increasing in depthrror top to bottom and each extending. into one of saidsystem of grooves 10, and each element `8 in yengagement with the inner surface of.the longitudinally slotted portionof column 2, A system of rollers l54 is accommodated in said system of grooves 10 in engagement withpsaid `wedge-elemer 1t s Brake body .6 is providedwith a -proj'ectionL-46 retaining helical spring 1 6 in position. The

endof springldremote fromA brakeubodyzlirests upon transverseplate 6 0 which, in .turn, is supported bycolumn 'Ifhuslspring -16 biases wedgeelement or brakebody 6T to the upward position thereof wherein no brakeforces .are being transmitted from the radially outer `s urig'ace of column Zand theradially innersurface of column V1. The .surface.of c olurnn 2 juxtaposed to4 parts l6 ar1 d.8 il rendered expandible by provision.v of a systemof longitudinal slots 3, in the same fashion as described inconn'ection; with Figs. LandfZ. `Rod element 4 is subdivided .intofa Arlower` portion supporting braleV body 6 and an upper portion supporting cap 17, The upper portion ,ofelementf4 lis slidably arranged in the cover portion 49 of column 2. A toggle comprising a pair of toggle rlinlcs `15 is. intelposedbetween the lower and. theupper portion of Vrod. element 4. `The aforementioned toggle is hinged at` `61.to the piston vrod 6 2,of a Huid motor of the cylinder- -piston type comprising cylinder. r19 kand piston .2 0. The -latterfis biased'by means Aof helical spring `:21 towardthe `leftfasaseen-in, Fig. 5. As long as the aforementioned .toggle is .held .in theposition shown, the4 toggle provides fapositive .orrigid couplingbetweemthe .upper PQrtion and t helower .portionof hollowfrodgelement 4. lPiston 20 .maybemoved from leftto rightbyadmission of uid under pressure into orifice 63 of cylinder ,19, A- This.r,e sults in an instant collapse of the aforementioned1 toggle,

of-rod element.4...rr f t .f

The structure of Fig. 5 differs slightly from fthat.of Figs. l=.to.r4 inclusive, in-regardto the arrangement of parts adjacentthe-lowerend of colurnn VFig..5bv shows the lower end of column .Zof the structure` of Fig. 5..upon remvral of parts 14; Sand 6- Ihebottom Qfgcblumn is closed by plate 45 and an additional plate 73 A on small `b raclrets 75 and supporting a; central `core or pin 74 't0 Senter .theabiaingl-spriugf1626er. Fier i). Small brackets 71 on column inter-slot portions 72 support wedge elements 8. The pipe line 79 is adapted for admitting air under pressure to, and venting air under pressure from, the lower portion of column 1. This portion is closed by a plug member to which numeral 78 has been applied.

Admission of fluid under pressure into orifice causes l of columns 1 and 2 in a direction longitudinally thereof even upon draining away of fiuid under pressure from under piston structure 45.

Upon admission of fiuid under pressure through orifice 63 into cylinder 419 piston 20 isv moved from left to right against the bias of spring 21, resulting in the collapse of the toggle '15, interposed between the two portions of rod element 4. Now spring brake pressure, permitting column 2 to telescope under the action of gravity downward into column 1.

Referring now to Figs. 6v, 6a and 7numerals 1 and 2 A conical body 6 is coaxially arranged within the radially inner column 2 and has a system of longitudinal or axial grooves 11 on the periphery thereof. A system of rollers 5 is arranged in grooves 11. A radially expandi'ole skirt 9 surrounds conical body 6". When the latter is moved downwardly against the bias of spring 16, skirt 9 expands radially and presses the juxtaposed slotted wall porexpandability of skirt 9' is obtained by means of two systems of incisions, the first system of incisions 12 extending from the bottom edge of skirt 97 almost but not en- 15 is hinged at 61 to an operator 18.

A certain Weight resting upon cap 17 of column 2 is transmitted through both parts 4 and toggle 15 to wedge member or ram 6". A transverse force is transmitted through rollers 5 to skirt 9' and from Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6b, this figure shows the lower portion of column 2 upon removal of parts 4, 5 and 6' therefrom. Also some of part 9 having been removed, this exposes to view the slots 3 situated at the rear of column 2. The two sections 9 suggest the 16 is free to push brake..V upwardly, thus providing instant relief froma substantlally hollow normal position ,of theskirt of Eig. lThe latterissup ported on column 2 by small brackets 71 on column interslot-portions 72. l I 4 It will be apparent from the foregoing that the wedge 14 shown in Fig.

ment thereof. Y, Y Y

As mentioned above, either a liquid under pressure or a gas under pressure may be used for operating prop-type supporting devices embodying this invention. If the prop is being operated hydraulically, the` fluid under pressure'is` the principles of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What I claim is: i 1. A prop-type supporting device comprising a substantially hollow base column defining a fluid motor cylinder,

within said base column, the lower end of said top column dinally thereof relative to said base column, an abutment member arranged on the top-end of said top column having a limited freedom of motion with respect thereto in Ya direction longitudinally thereof, a cylindrical brake body arranged coaxially within said top column adapted to exert transverse pressure upon said lower end thereof to press the outer/surface of said lower end against the" inner surfac'e of said base column, said brake body having on the outer surface thereof a system of lonbottom end thereof, a rod member movement of said top column and said base column, a ram bar arranged within said top column in coaxial relation with redinally thereof w1th respect to said base column, an abutment member arranged on the top-end of said top column having a limited freedom of motion with respect thereto cisions beginning e e body, a rod lmember arranged within said top column in ege-eases -a rod member arranged coaxially `within said -to'p column normallyvproviding a rlgid tiebetween said-abutment .memberfand-'said conical ram, acollapsible elementinter- "posed in said rod member adapted to relieve :saidrbrake ililody from "pressure nexerted' b'y said abutment member throughthe intermediary ofsaid rod member, and spring means interposed between said piston means -and said co'nical ram biasing said rodmember toward s'aid'Vtop-end of said top column. A e Y o 3. A prop-type 4supportingfdevice comprising a substantially hollow base column defining a fluid rnotor c'ylinder, a substantially hollow Ytop column arranged coaxially within said base column, the lower end. of said topcolurnn vhaving a plurality ofv slots extending in a direction longitudinallyq thereof to impart transverse'resiliency to said lower end, piston means in cooperative relation with said `cylinder to move said top column in a direction longitudinally thereof with respect to said basecoluinn,Ian'jabutment member arranged on the top-wend of said; top column A having a limited freedom `of'motion with respect thereto in a direction longitudinally thereof, av conical 'ram'ar ranged coarrially within said top columnhaving asystem of groovesex'te'nding in a direction longitudinallyY thereof,V a systemof` rollers arranged in said system of grooves, aY

radially expandibl'e brake body surrounding said ram hav-Y ftu'dinally thereof to impart lower end; `piston rmeans said iiuid motor cylinder direction .longitudinally 15 column; an abutment member arranged on -top column having alimited freedom of motlon relative i from pressur 35 ing a radially innerrsurface conforming tothe shape of Y said ram in engagemeutwith said system of rollers and a radiallyfouter cylindrical surface in engagement with thevinner surface of said lower end of said topfcolurnn, said outer surface being adapted toexert braking pressure upon said lower end of said top column precludingrelativev movement of said top column and ing in a direction' longitudinally thereof from one of the axial endsjof said brake lbody immediately adjacent to the `opposite axialV end there of, immediately adjacent inat axially opposite ends of said brake coaxial relation Ywith respect thereto normally providing a rigid 4tie between said abutment member and said ram, Va collapsible element interposed in said rod member 'lio - l e e saidAbase column, Said `brake a, System radial incision-extend- 'adapted 'to relieve said brake. body` from pressure exerted by vsaid abutment member` through the intermediary ,of said rodmember, and a'helical spring interposedbetween said piston means and said ram ,biasing said rod member toward said top-end of said top column.

4. A prop-type supporting device 'comprisingafsubstanvtia'llyliollow a substantially hollow VAwithin said base column, the lower Yend of said top column .having Aaplurality of slots extending ina base column dening a fluid motor cylinder; top column arrangedcoaxally directionlongitransverse resiliency to said in cooperative, relation with to move said top column in a thereof relative to said.r base top of said thereto in a direction longitudinally thereof; a transversely expandable brake-body iixedly arranged within said top column adapted to exert transverse pressure upon'said lower against the inner movable cooperating wedge `endethereof to "press said lower end surface of said base column; relatively means inside of saidv brake body to cause transverse expansionv thereof, said cooperating wedge means comprising `a rst wedge means forming an integral "part of said `brake body and a second 'wedge means movable relative to said rst wedge means in a direction longitudinally of said top column; Va rod member coaxally arranged inside of said top column movable relative tosid top column in a direction longitudinally thereof, saidrod member normally providing a rigid tie between said'abutment memberand said second g wedge means; a collapsible Velement interposed insaid rod member` adapted to relieve said cooperating e exerted by said abutment member Vthrough wedge means the intermedlary of said rod member,V and spring Ameans interposed between said 'piston means and said second wedge meansrbiasingV said second wedge means and `said rod member toward said top end of said'top column.

References r Cited in the tile of this ypatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bucky May 30, 1939 Shetzline e )'uly 6, 1943 Horton et al Dec. 12, A1944 Curtis Feb. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Belgium i Ian. l5, `19,52 Germany s s lan. 26, 1953 France 'fSept. 19, '1949 France -n Q Au'g. 30, 1950 M meas UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,928,643 March 15, 1960 Eugen Bellmann It is hereby Certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the drawings, Sheet 2 should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

l5, 1%@ E. EELLMANN 2,928,643

PROP-TYPE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 in the grant, lines 1, 2 and 3 Eugen Bellmann, of Ha Kronsbein, nee Bell deceased,-; line 12, for Eu Ruth Kronsbein, nee Bellma of the printed specification, lin

-Eugen Bellmann, Hagen-Haspe, G bein, nee Bellmann, and Friedhelm Bellmann column 4, line 32, after element 8 -whereby; column 6, lines 54 and 55 said base column, line 68 after said line 47, for there of read -thereof.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1961.

[SEAL] Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER, DAVID L. LADD, Attestzng Oycer. Gommsszoner of Patents. 

